Dancing with the stars in Laguna Niguel

Moving to the music are Cece Medina, Marianna Catasso and Lisa Lowrey when Cheryl Burke of "Dancing with the Stars" opened her new dance studio in Laguna Niguel Friday. LOIS EVEZICH, THE REGISTER

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Dancers Gilles Marini, left, and Cheryl Burke of "Dancing with the Stars" are welcomed to Laguna Niguel by Mark Montgomery, president of the Chamber of Commerce. Looking on are Julie Wright, Chamber ambassador, and Helene Snider. Burke was in town Friday for the opening of her new dance studio. COURTESY OF MARK MONTGOMERY, SUBMITTED

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Gilles Marini, Cheryl Burke's dancing partner on "Dancing with the Stars," who also had the role of Carrie Bradshaw's neighbor in the movie "Sex and the City." LOIS EVEZICH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Cheryl Burke Dance

Special guest package: $45 – two private dance lessons, one group dance class

Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, available for private lessons; Saturday and Sunday, by appointment only

Calendar: Monday through Friday, classes from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

May 11, Group swing class

May 12, Group tango class

May 13, Group rumba class

May 14, Group fox trot class

May 15, Group salsa class

A red carpet welcomed the star of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" on Friday when Cheryl Burke, professional dancer and a big attraction for the television station's hit series, arrived with her dancing partner and actor Gilles Marini. They'd been rehearsing in Los Angeles until 5 p.m., said Tarn Daly, but came down for the studio's grand opening and to meet their fans. They didn't dance at the new studio, but answered questions and posed for photos from professional and amateur photographers alike.

Currently they are still in the running for the first prize on this season's show, and will appear again at 8 p.m. Monday on KABC.

Several hundred fans showed up to greet her and welcome her to Laguna Niguel. Many were dressed to dance in formal evening clothes, though most said they were not professional and take classes for the social life they've learned to enjoy, and the exercise.

Burke's goal is to make dancing popular nationwide, she told folks Friday. She wants to spend time at her Laguna Niguel studio, 28221 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite F, as well, but having three studios right now is enough on her plate.

Kit Tagre and Carol Gaeth came to meet Burke and Marini, dance and look into the classes being offered. Tagre said his favorite dance is the West Coast swing, but Gaeth likes the cha-cha.

"We normally dance at the Arthur Murray Studio in Irvine," Gaeth said. She added that dance studios are big business.

Their friend Tracie Bernaking likes the exercise and said she meets good people in dance classes.

"Sometimes I go five or six times a week," she said. "I like the bolero best. Some people take yoga or Pilates classes, but I like dance. It's not unusual for some serious dancers to use three studios."

Cece Medina is a big fan of "Dancing with the Stars."

"I turn my phones off, and no one can call me when the show is on," she said. "My favorite team is Cheryl Burke and Gilles Marini." Medina was dressed for dancing and could hardly hold still when the music started.

Marianna Catasso said dancing is her life.

"I was hot and heavy into it in the 80's," she said. "I'm from New York, the same neighborhood as J. Lo in the Bronx and danced in studios there, and in exhibitions. I love the Latin dance, swing, mambo and the jitterbug. I love all dances.

"But I especially love the Bossa Nova," she said. "It's more difficult, so people dance the rumba instead."

An attention-getter was Martin Rivas, 9, who has only been dancing for seven months but is competing on the dance floor already in Las Vegas. When asked what he likes most about dancing, Martin answered, "A lotta hips."

"Martin was so shy," said his mom, watching him dance with a "much older" woman. "Dancing has given him confidence. He's got self esteem now, and he loves the attention."

Debbie Newman, CEO of the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, Derek Quinn, past president and Mark Montgomery, current president of the Chamber, showed up for the ribbon cutting along with other Chamber members.

Burke's Laguna Niguel dance studio in Orange County is her third, and she's added it to her two other locations, one in San Francisco and one in San Jose.

Mick and Kim Lambert like to go to clubs and dances and stood in line to get in to greet the professional dancing couple.

Kim Lambert said she was glad to go, but that "……. he likes Cheryl and that's why we're here."

Cheryl Burke Dance

Address: 28221 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite F, Laguna Niguel

Phone: 949-365-6826

Email: LN@cherylburkedance.com

Studio manager: Tarn Daly

Special guest package - $45: Two private dance lessons, one group dance class.

Hours:

Monday through Friday, 1 to 9 p.m., available for private lessons

Saturday and Sunday, by appointment only

Calendar: Monday through Friday, classes from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

May 11, Group swing class

May 12, Group tango class

May 13, Group rumba class

May 14, Group fox trot class

May 15, Group salsa class

For more information about classes at the Cheryl Burke Studio, go to www.cherylburkedance.com.

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